Super Mario World 3: Return to Dinosaur World is the true sequel to Super Mario World (since Super Mario World 2 was more of a prequel). Many characters, items, enemies, and bosses return, along with some new ones.

Power-Ups

Enemies

Worlds

World 1: Yoshi's Island. Here is the Yoshi King's castle, and Larry Koopa has seized control.

World 2: Donut Plains. Here, Morton Koopa Jr. has taken over.

World 3: Vanilla Dome. Wendy O. Koopa has dominated the Vanilla Dome.

World 4: Twin Bridges. Iggy Koopa is ruling over these bridges.

World 5: Forest of Illusion. Here, Roy Koopa is hiding.

World 6: Chocolate Island. Here, not one but TWO Koopalings are here eating chocolate, and they are Lemmy and Ludwig.

Just before you enter the Valley of Bowser, an airship brings you up to the Dino Heights.

World 7: Dino Heights. Bowser Jr has set up the Doomship here to guard the Valley of Bowser in this new world.

World 8: Valley of Bowser. Of course, Bowser is here. This world has 2 castles and 2 fortresses. One is ruled by Kamek, the other is ruled by Bowser.

The shortcut worlds can be unlocked by fufilling certain conditions in some levels. Below is where they are.

Icy Mountain: You can get here by finding an alternate path in the Vanilla Dome. Chief Chilly is ruling over this world.

Desert Island: Unlock this by finding Chocolate Island's secret cannon. The Pokey King is ruling this world.

Donkey Kong Island: You can find this secret world by collecting special bananas in a level at Yoshi's Island. You fight Donkey Kong here in the style of Mario's first game, known as Donkey Kong!

Chomp Factory: You can get here by finding the secret underground passage in the Valley of Bowser. The King Golden Chomp controls this factory!

There are 2 worlds you get after beating Bowser.

Toad Town: You can get a cruise ship here from Yoshi's Island. Petey Piranha has attacked this place.

Boo Woods: You can get here after beating Petey Piranha. King Boo controls this place.

After you beat Boo Woods, Star Road may be visited. You can warp to worlds easier with Star Road.

Secrets

When you beat the game, you unlock 16-bit mode. It lets you play the game with Super Mario World graphics but it is harder. For example, there are no midway points, enemies will require 1 more hit to defeat, Yoshi is rare, and there are no Starmen! 16-bit mode's graphics do apply to the multiplayer modes and the Level Creator, but not the features.

Level Creator

After you beat Larry at Yoshi's Island, you unlock the Level Creator. You can create different levels with this mode and share them via Nintendo WFC. You unlock more elements as you complete each world.

Multiplayer

The game offers 4-Player action with these characters: Mario, Luigi, Toad, Wario, Waluigi, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, and a Luma.

Modes

Free for All: This is just like the main game.

Star Battle: You battle for Stars like in New Super Mario Bros.

Coin Battle: You try to complete the level with the most coins.

Survival: See if you can beat the level without losing a life! There are no ways to earn 1-Ups, and you only have one life.

Super Mario Battle: Fight each other with items, Yoshi, and other things to deplete each other's HP! Enemies are on stages to make it harder.

You can also play these modes via Nintendo WFC.

Coin Rush

Coin Rush reappears, but with several changes:

It now has a multiplayer mode, with players working together to collect coins.

You may choose which courses you want to do, or you can randomize it.

Minigames

The game possesses several minigames you can play alone or with other people:

Time Trials: Complete a random level, and beat your time.

Yoshi Frenzy: See how many enemies and fruits you can swallow with Yoshi before the timer runs out!

Nabbit Chase: Hunt down Nabbit in three random levels, and see if you can catch him!

DLC

If you connect to Nintendo WFC, you can download custom levels, bonus worlds, and more stuff.

Re-Release

The game was later released for Wii U as Super Mario World 3: Return to Dinosaur Land: Wii U Edition. The Wii U edition uses the GamePad and Pro Controllers, and has a bonus world, being the Minus World. The Minus World is extremely hard to beat, and has devilishly difficult levels. There is no boss, but instead, you have to rebattle every single boss, and they are much harder to defeat.

Notes

If you preordered the game, you get an exclusive green Wii Remote with the game.

The False Bowser in the final level is a reference to Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, where this also happened.